Analyse the representation of love in Romeo nad Juliet

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During Romeo and Juliet, love is juxtaposed constantly with hate through the actions of the characters, and by the structure of the play itself. ‘Death-marked love’. This provides the reader with contrast and because they are so opposite the audience does not expect death to be associated with love. This confuses the audience quit a bit because as the play goes on there is a mixture of emotions and unsureness of what is going to conquer the other. Love is kept a secret through out the play but hate is out in the public and causes so much chaos that even the chief prince has to look out for them just so they don’t kill each other.

For instance the love between Romeo and Juliet is contradicted by the
hate between the two families, Montague and Capulet. During Act 1 scene 5 these emotions are highlighted.Shakespear does this to grab the audience’s attention. Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love at first sight but have no idea their families are great enemies who hold an ‘an ancient grudge’. This is dramatic irony as the audience know exactly what is going on whereas Romeo and Juliet have no idea.  Romeo takes Juliet by the hand from the opposite side of a pillar, and speaks his first words to her alone through sonnets “O... she doth teach the torches to burn bright; it seems she hangs upon the cheek of night, like a rich jewel in ethiop’s ear” to tell her of his passionate love for her. She responds in equal measure as they sensually press their hands together and exchange poems. This shows they are perfect for each other as they connect straight away without even knowing each other’s background.

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Meanwhile tybalt is trying to find a way to start a fight with Romeo as he has sneaked into his uncle’s house. This is a good example of the hate they have for each other as it shows that it’s not just the parents that are involved in the fight, the children are pulled into it too.  

As soon as Romeo and Juliet find out their families hate each other, they don’t let that get in the way of their love and Romeo manages to sneak back to the Capulet’s house to see Juliet. This shows the risks ...

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